For some intrepid souls, moving to a foreign country, even for a few months, is like a walk in the park. It’s a wonderful adventure and nothing fazes them. Everything falls into place perfectly, and nothing goes wrong. Or, if it does, it’s just a blip on the horizon and they take it in stride.

Coco Chanel, the legendary French designer, said it best: “A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” For many, French women—les Parisiennes in particular—seem to be shrouded in mystery, with an allure and self-possession that isn’t easy to emulate. It’s not that women the world over aren’t as wonderful or stylish as the lovely ladies in France, but they seem to do it with a flair all their own. Books have been written and studies done to try and capture in words that special...something that is innate in a French woman. How do they do it?

Leaving your hometown and all that’s familiar is hard enough. But moving to another country? That’s a whole different ballgame. There’s the airport, the flirtatious taxi driver, and the slightly giddy feeling that you’re in over your head and maybe you’re not quite cut out for your new adventure. Adjusting might take a long time, or just a few minutes, depending on how much wine you need to drink as fortification. It’s a new culture and language, and you may wonder, “How will I survive here?”